Appointments and Resignations
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board: Who is Peter Winokur?
With 40 years of experience as a scientist and engineer in the field of radiation effects science, technology, and hardness assurance in support of military and space systems, Peter S. Winokur took over the chairmanship of the Defense Nuclear Faci... read more
Obama Appoints More Friends and Donors to Ambassadorships than Did Bush, Clinton and Even Reagan
For someone who campaigned on the ideal of not succumbing to the politics-as-usual ways of Washington, President Barack Obama has embraced patronage and cronyism with real zeal when it comes to appointing ambassadors.
So far, President Obama h... read more
Director of Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Who is John Pistole?
It took three tries, but President Barack Obama finally got an appointment confirmed to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). After former FBI agent Erroll Southers’ nomination imploded over revelations that he accessed FBI databa... read more
Will Norman Eisen be the Next Ambassador to Czech Republic?
Although President Barack Obama has not officially nominated an ambassador to the Czech Republic, rumors are heavy in Prague that the post will go to White House ethics lawyer Norman Eisen. Eisen has no diplomatic experience to speak of, but he do... read more
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrator: Who is Pamela Hyde?
Pamela S. Hyde was sworn in as administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on December 7, 2009, after spending 30 years managing and consulting for government and non-profit operations that handled mental health ... read more
Why has Veterans Benefits Leadership been Vacant for 2 ½ Years and Who is Michael Walcoff?
A career employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Michael Walcoff has served as Acting Under Secretary for Benefits since January 4, 2010, and, according to some VA observers, could become the permanent head of the Veterans Benefits Ad... read more
Why is the Head of DEA Still Unconfirmed and Who is Michele Leonhart?
Current and former employees of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are grousing over the snail’s-pace confirmation of Michele Leonhart as the permanent head of the DEA. The complaints center on why the Obama administration has not pushed Co... read more
United States Geological Survey: Who is Marcia McNutt?
Marcia K. McNutt, President Barack Obama’s choice to lead the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), was confirmed by the U.S. Senate October 21, 2009. McNutt is a geological scientist whose oceanography work includes training with Navy SEALS in underwate... read more
Ambassador to El Salvador: Who is Mari Carmen Aponte?
The choice of Mari Del Carmen Aponte as ambassador to El Salvador got the conservative blogosphere all riled up, after word got out about Aponte’s failed nomination during the Clinton administration. Back then, President Bill Clinton put forth her... read more
Ambassador to Sweden: Who is Matthew Barzun?
What Matthew W. Barzun lacks in terms of diplomatic experience, or knowledge about Sweden, he makes up with having supported President Barack Obama’s election—to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The former CNET executive was one of Ob... read more
Health Resources and Services Administration: Who is Mary Wakefield?
Overseeing the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is Mary Wakefield, a former nurse, congressional staffer and professor regarded as an expert in rural health care, patient safety, Medicare payment policy, workforce issues and pub... read more
Ambassador to Poland: Who is Lee Feinstein?
A longtime national security and foreign policy expert, Lee Feinstein’s selection to become the U.S. ambassador to Poland followed his previous service to the Clintons, first as an advisor in the Pentagon and State Department during the 1990s, and... read more
Director of U.S. Trade and Development Agency: Who Is Leocadia Zak?
President Barack Obama turned to an agency veteran, Leocadia I. Zak to lead the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). USTDA is an independent agency responsible for helping promote development in other countries while also advancing economic ... read more
Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement: Who Is Joseph Pizarchik?
One of President Obama’s most controversial nominations has been that of Joseph Pizarchik to be the Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), a bureau within the US Department of the Interior (DOI) charged with th... read more
National Indian Gaming Commission: Who is Tracie Stevens?
If confirmed as chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission, Tracie Stevens would become the first woman to lead the oversight body for the $27 billion Indian gaming industry.
A member of the Tulalip Tribes in Washington State, Stevens was ... read more
Ambassador to Iceland: Who is Luis Arreaga?
Luis E. Arreaga, a member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of minister-counselor, was nominated by President Barack Obama on April 21, 2010, to serve as U.S. ambassador to Iceland. Arreaga’s selection follows last year’s failed attempt ... read more